From the Duke of Data and Director of the City program at Simon Fraser University Andy Yan comes this article on the innovative adaptive use of the classic concrete sewer pipe. Hong Kong architect James Law is building these “micro-homes” in a severe housing shortage in the city.
These “O” pods are 100 square feet or half the size of a typical one car garage, and contain a pull out sleeper sofa, shelves, a bathroom with a shower and a small fridge and microwave. With a diameter of just over eight feet, each “tube” costs 15,000 dollars to build compared to the average price of an abode in Hong Kong which is 1.8 million dollars for a 600 square foot unit. Architect Law sees these 22 ton pipes being stacked temporarily between buildings, vacant lots and under highway overpasses.
He is currently trying to get city permits to commence building units, and observes “In Hong Kong, many people live in squalid conditions or in partition dwellings, as there are extremely high rents, housing costs, and inadequate public housing .The OPod is an inexpensive alternative.”
Images: James Law, Cybertecture
Nice, well, at least until the retainer on the end breaks.